Paper-feeding machine.



N0. 829,854. PATENTBD AUG. 28, 1906. T. G. DEXTER.

PAPER PEEDING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED JANJQ. 190e.

7 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Tm: Nanlus PtTERs co.. wAsHlNnrON. n. c.

N- 829,854l PATENTBD AUG. 28, 1906.`

T; o. DEXTER. t PAPER EEEDING MACHINE.

APPLOATION FILED JAN. 19, 1906.

- '1 SHEETEQSHEEM.

IN VE N TUR JZ W' A TTOHNEYS No. 829,854. PATENTED AUG. za, 1906. T. o'. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MAGHINE. nrmornon num IAN.19. 19oe.

'I SHBETSLSHB'ET 4.

1@ Afro #srsI ms NaRms PzrERs co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

110.829,85@v PATBNTED AUG. 28, 1906.

' T. o. DEXTER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JANJQ. 190e v SHEETS-SHEET 5,

gi l

/NVN TUB 1H: Nanni: rrrrls co., wAsmNcran, n. c.

N0-v 829;854. PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

T. C. DEXTER.

PAPER' PBEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JANJQ, 1906.

`'I SHEETS-SHEET 6.

*gym/- f I I N0.- a29,854. PAEENTED AUG. za, 1906, T. o. DEXTER;

PAPER EEEDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN.19. 1906.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

WITNESSES INVENTH ytaurina sri-iras- PATENT ounce'.

i TALBOT C. DEXTER, OF PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK.

PAPER-IEEEDING MCHIN;

. Specification of Letters Patent.l

Application iiled January 19, 1905. Serial No. 296.893.

Patented Aug. 2s, 1906.

State of New York-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper- Feeding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in paper-feeding machines of the sheetcombing type in which the pile of sheetsis acted upon` by combing-feeding devices which comb or feather out the top sheets of the pile to gradually separate the successive sheets near the top, so they may be drawn from the pile periodically and fed to any machine arranged to operate upon the individual sheets..` My improved machine, in common with prior known machines in this class, includes two sheet-combing devices arranged to operate upon opposite sides of the central longitudinal line of the pile for feeding the successive sheets forwardly upon the pile, the combing devices being independently controlled by sheet-actuated tripping devices, so that the successive sheets are approximately squared and registered as they are fed forward. My present invention relates to improved features of construction, particularly with reference tothe mechanism for raising and lowering the sheet-combing devices and the sheet-actuatedtripping devices which control the operation of the combing devices.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will first describe the same with reference to the accompanying'drawings, and afterward point out the novelty more particularly in the annexed claims.

Figure 1 is a plan view of part of apaperfeeding machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same, the section being taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa front elevation of the parts of the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation, showing the arrangement of the power-transmitting gears from the cam-shaft to the driven shafts, hereinafter referred to. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view of part of the comber-controlling mechanism, looking from the front of the machine. Fig. 6 is a detail plan viewl illustrating the mounting of the comber. Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of the machine, showing the comber controlling and operating mechanism. Fig. Sis a detail planview of the sheet-actuated pendulum. Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, andv 13 are enlarged detail views of the sheet-controlled clutch mechanism which throws out of operation the combing device.

Figs'. 14 and 15 are, respectively, a detail verf tical longitudinal sectional view and a detail plan view of the drop-roller mechanism which passes the successive separated sheets from the pile.

Sheetcombing feeding-machines of the type to which my present invention relates are, as stated above, provided with two sets of sheet-combing devices arranged to operate at opposite sides of the machine.y In the accompanying drawings I have shown only one-half of the machine, including only one of these sheet-combing devices; but it will be understood that two combing devices of the same construction are employed, each being independently controlled by the sheet-actuated tripping mechanism in the manner well understoodin this type of machine.

The framework of my improved machine may be of any suitable construction to properly support the working parts hereinafter referred to. Inthe drawings, 1 represents one ofa pair 'of vertical side frames. These side frames are suitably braced to ymake them rigid by means of stay-rods 2 3 and other frame parts (not shown,) and within the frame is provided a suitable table or support for carrying a pile of sheets, (indicated by the reference-letter P.) At the front of the pile of sheets I provide a series of vertical guide rods or strips 4, having forwardly-bent -upi per ends to facilitate the combing operation upon the top sheets of the pile.

5 is a constantly-driven shaft bearing the lower feed-rollers 6, said shaft 5 being braced at intervals by the yoked bearing-brackets 7 8 represents drop-rollers journaled in the bifurcated rock-arms 9, mounted upon the transverse rock-shaft 10. The rock-arms 9 are shaped to form sheet confining or guiding fingers, as shown. The rock-shaft 10 extends transversely of the machine directly above the constantly-running lower shaft 5,V and is suitably braced between its ends by two or more bracket-arms 11, rigidly secured to the auxiliary longitudinal frame-pieces 12. The rock-shaft 1() has adjacent to one end a rock-arm 15, to the forward end1 of which is pivotally connected at 16 a vertically-ex- IOO tending pitman 17, formed with a longitudinal slot 18, through which extends the main cam-shaft 20. The shaft carries a cam 19 for reciprocating the pitman 17, the

itman 17 carrying at its upper end an antiriction roller 17 u, which runs in peripheral contact with the cam 19, whereby the series of drop-rollers 8 are periodically raised and lowered for the purpose explained.

21 and 22 are respectively the under feedroller and drop-roller of a folding-machine to which the feeder 'is to pass the sheets.

The main cam-shaft 20 extends transversely of the machine and is suitably journaled in the main side frames 1 and the auxiliary longitudinal frame-pieces 12. This lshaft 2() is provided with a driving-pulley 25,

stud 31, projecting from the side frame of the machine, and this gear in turn drives a smaller gear 32, keyed to the projecting end of the comber driving-shaft 35, hereinafter referred to, and a smaller gear 33, keyed to the projecting end of the constantly-rotating feed-shaft 5, above referred to.

40 is one of a pair of combing-wheels. Each of these combing-wheels is freely journaled at 41 upon a rock-arm 42, which is freely journaled upon a sleeve 50, which is journaled upon the shaft 35. This shaft 35 has keyed to it a gear 45, which meshes with a gear 46, secured to the combing-wheel 40, by which the combing-wheel is constantly rotated.

Projecting from one face of the combersupporting rock-arm 42 is an integral lug 43 in which is mounted an adjustable tappetscrew 44. Secured upon the sleeve 50, alongside of the rock-arm 42, is a rock-arm 51, which is provided with a finger 52, which projects beneath the tappet-screw 44 just referred to, and by its engagement therewith lifts the combing-wheel away from the pile. By adjusting the screw 44 the limits of rise and fall of the combing-wheel can be fixed. The rock-arm 51 is moved in one direction for lifting the combing-wheel by a spring mechanism which is released by the sheetactuated tripping device hereinafter explained. The rock-arm 51 is moved in the opposite direction to allow the combingwheel to move by gravity into engagement with the pile of sheets by the action of a cam, as will now be explained. Sleeve has at its end opposite to the rock-arm 51 another rock-arm 55 to which is pivotally connected a pitman 56 formed with a yoke-shaped upper end, which straddles the shaft 20. The shaft 2O carries a peripheral cam 58, which engages the lantifriction-roller 57, journaled upon the pitman 56, whereby the rock-arm 55, sleeve 50, and finger 52 are moved once in each revolution of the shaft 2O to allow the combing-wheel to rest upon the pile. The rock-arm 51 projects forwardly from the sleeve 50, and has pivotally connected to its forward end a latch-bar 60, extending vertically and riding in a socket 61 formed in a bracket 62, extending laterally from one of the central auxiliary frames 12. This latchbar is formed with a notch 61a on one edge with which engages a spring-pressed pawl 63, journaled at 64 upon bracket 65, secured to the frame-piece 12. The purpose of the latchbar 60 andpawl 63 is to retain the rock-arm 51 and the spring device connected thereto resently to be referred to) in position to a low the operation of the combing-wheel.

I will now proceed to describe the spring device and I.ill afterward explain the mechanism for releasing the latch under the control of the sheets fed from the pile. A rod is pivoted at 71 to the rock-arm 51 and projects therefrom vertically through a guidepin 72, projecting from the frame-piece 12. Surrounding the rod 70 and confined between the rock-arm 51 and guide-pin 72 is an expansion-spring 75, which tends to throw down the arm 51 and move up the finger 52 for raising the comber away from the pile of sheets. This spring tendency is normally restrained by the engagement of the pawl 63 with the latch-bar 60. Turning now to the sheet-actuated tripping mechanism for' contrlolling the operation of the combing devices, I will -iirst refer to the clutch mechanism which trips the spring-controlling latch under the action of the sheet-actuated tripperand will then explain the structure of the tripping device. Keyed to the shaft 35, alongside of the gear 45, is a smaller gear-wheel 80, which is in constant vmesh with a larger and narrower gear 81, which is keyed to the inner end of a short hollow shaft 82, which is freely journaled in a bracket-bearing 83, supported from one of the frame-pieces 12. The hollow shaft 82 is rotatably and longitudinally movable in its bearing 83, the breadth of gear being sufficient to maintain the mesh with gear 81 while the shaft 82`is shifted longitudinally in its bearing. 85 is one member of a camfaced slip-clutch secured to the face of the vgear-wheel 81 and having formed in its working face ka plurality of radial cam-faced recesses 86. The opposite member 87 of the slip-clutch is provided with a lplurality of radial cam-faced ribs or lugs 88 and is secured to or formed. integral with a short hollow shaft 89, which is freely journaled in a bracket-bearing also supported from the auxiliary frame-piece 12. This short shaftsection 89 carries upon its outer end a ratchet- IOO IIO

IIS

IZO

vss

wheel 91. 82 is a tube 95, which projects from the hollow shaft 82 into the hollow shaft 89. This tube 89 is brazed or otherwise rigidly secured in the threaded nut or thimble 96, which is screwed into a threaded counterbore or recess formed in the inner end of the hollow shaft 82. The end of the tube 95, which projects into the hollow shaft 89, is partly closed by a ring or washer 97,l secured in the end of the tube and having a central opening through it.` A bolt 98, having a cylindrical head 99, is passedthrough the central opening of the ring or washer 97 and through an opening 99 in the ratchet-wheel 91 and supports an expansion-spring 100, which is confined between the washer 97 and the cylindrical head 99, the outer threaded end of the bolt being engaged by the nuts 101 and 102. The tension of the spring can be regulated by adjust ing the nuts upon the bolt. It will be observed from this construction that the spring 100 tends to hold the two parts of the clutch 85 87 in engaged position, so that the ratchet wheel 91 will be rotated from the gear 81 through the hollow shaft-sections 82 89.

Arr arm 63aL projects downwardly from the pivot of the pawl 63, across the line of the holow shaft-section 82 so that any longitudinal movement ofthe shaft-section 82 toward the arm 63@t will disengage thepawl 63 from the latch-rod 60 to release the spring-rod which raises the comber from the pile. This movement of the shaft-section 82 is effected by ar resting the ratchet-wheel 91 by the action of the sheet moving from the ile in the manner which willn w be explained.

105 is a racket arm extending downwardly from the bracket-bearing 90, and 106 is a rock-arm journaled in the lower end of the bracket-arm 105.

107 is a bracket-arm extending up from the bracket-bearing 90, and 108 is a rockarm keyed to a rock-shaft 109, j ournaled in the bracket-arm 107. Extending up from a rock-shaft 109 vis a rock-arm 110, carrying an antifriction-roller 111, which operates in peripheral contact with the controlling-cam 112, keyed to the cam-shaft 20. VA link 113 is pivotally connected at its opposite ends with the rock-arms 106 and 108 for yoking said rock-arms, so they willmove together underlthe action of cam 112. The rock-arm 106 is yokeshaped, as shown in Fig. 8-that is, the arm 106 has a laterally and rearwardly branching ng'er 1063, forming with the main part of the arm a U-shaped yoke or fork. The ends of arm 106 and linger 106 carry the inwardly-presented bearing-screws 1 14, upon which are journaled the pendulumshaft 115, carrying the downwardly-projecting trip-fingers 1 15a, which project across the path of the sheets to points a little below the periphery of the constantly-rotating lower feed-rollers 6. This pendulum trip-lever 1 15 seau-ed Within thehollow Shaft 115a has secured to it a rearwardly-project ing finger 1 16, Vto which is pivotally connected the lower end of a link 1 17, which is pivotally connected at its upper end 118 to a pawl 119, journaled at 120 upon the bracket-arm 121, projecting from the bracket-bearing 90. The pawl 119 is supported in operative relation with the ratchet-wheel 91, so as' to arrest the rotation of the ratchetewheel and the short shaft-section 89, upon which it is mountedwhen thepawl is dropped into'engagement with the ratchet-wheel. A short rod- 122 projectsrearwardly from the pawl 119 and carries a small adjustable weight 123, by the adjustment of which th'e pawl 119 and connected pendulum 115 1152L can be `balanced to a nicety, so as to support pawl 119 just free of the ratchet-wheel and afford the least possible work for the sheet of paper when it engages the pendulum trip-lingers 1153. An arm 125 projects upwardly and forwardly from the heel of the pawl 119 in position to engage the antifriction-roller 126, journaled on the rock-arm 108, whereby the action of cam 112 upon rock-arm 110 will cause the rock-arm 108 to disengage` the pawl 119 from ratchet-wheel 91 simultaneously with the lifting of the pendulum-'fingers from the path of the sheet.

Extending longitudinally 'of the machine at each side is a rock-shaft 135, journaled in bracket-arms 136, extending down from the auxiliary frame-pieces 12. At the forward end of each of these rock-shafts is a rock-arm 137, carrying at its upper end an antifrictionroller 138, which operates in engagement with a face-cam 139, keyed to the cam-shaft 20. Each of the rock-shafts carries a horizontal rockarm 140, which is adjustable circumferentially and longitudinally of the rock-shaft, a set-screw b being provided to secure the rock-arm in the desired adjusted position upon the rock-shaft. arm 140'is formed with a yoke-shaped inner end 140a, through the arms of which pass the threaded pin or bolt 141, upon which is pivotally supported a depending weight 150. The weight is held against displacement on the threaded rod or bolt 141, so that the adjustment of the rod or bolt in the yoked end of the rock-arm will shift the weight 150 longitudinally of the machine. To effect this adjustment, I provide the threaded rod orA bolt 141 with threaded nuts'143. The lower end of the weight 150 is bifurcated at 151 to receive a metal block 152, which is mounted in the bifurcated end 151 of the weight by means of a cross-pin. block 152 carries a rubber pad 153, which is adapted to engage the rear end of the second sheet of the pile just back of the rear edge of the Atop sheet as the top sheetis being fed off. The following brief explanation will make clear the operation of my improved machine.

It being understood that a machine em- This metal IOO IOS

Each rockl tered position.

bodying my improvements is provided with two sets of sheet-combing mechanisms, each independently controlled by a sheet-actuated tripping mechanism, as described, the machine is started in operation with the combing-wheels resting upon the top of the pile of sheets, the combing-wheels being driven through the gears, as above explained, and the pendulum-fingers 1 15a, resting in vertical position, being dropped periodically into the path of the sheets and the pawls 119 being supportedY thereby out cf engagement with the ratchet-wheels, so that the ratchet-wheels will rotate freely through the clutch mechanism 85 87, driven by the gears 80 81. In this normal operative position of the machine the spring elevating mechanisms for the combers are held out of action by the engagement of pawls 63 with the latch-bars 60. The combing-wheels will operate until the top sheet is moved forward sufficiently to actuate one of the pendulum-fingers 115, which action will drop one of the pawls 119 into engagement with'a ratchet-wheel 91, arresting raid ratchet-wheel, and thereby causing the disengagement of clutch members 85 87, with the consequent longitudinal displacement of shaft-section 82. The movement of shaftsection 82 disengages the pawl 63 from the latch-bar 60, which allows the spring 75 to act for raising the first combing-wheel from the pile. This action is immediately followed by the same operation on the other combing-wheel as the edge of the sheet in front of such combing-wheel reaches regis- Immediately following the arrest of the two combing-wheels the cams 112 come into play to raise pendulum-fingers 115a out of the path of the sheets and disengage pawls 119 from ratchet-wheels 91, and then the drop-roller mechanism operates for feeding the sheet off from the pile. As the sheet is engaged by the drop-roller mechanism' the tail-grips 150 153 engage the under sheet just back ofthe rear edge of the top sheet for holding the pile. As soon as the sheet has left thel pile the cams 58 come into action for forcibly rocking the arms 51 to again compress the springs 75 and allow the combing-wheels to drop back by gravity upon the pile, it being understood that immediately preceding this operation the cams 112 have released the ratchet-wheels 91 by elevating the pawls 119, so that the clutchmembers 85 and 87 have again come into clutching position and allowed the shaft-sections 82 to return tov their normal position, whereby the paws 63 are again permitted to engage the latch-bars 60 for holding springs 75 in compressed position in readiness for another operation.

Having thus described myinvention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by lLetters Patent: y

l. In a paper-feeding machine, the combination of a sheet-support, a rotary shaft, a

rotary sheet-moving device driven thereby and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the sheets to be fed, a rockarm adapted to raise and lower the sheetmoving device, a spring device connected with said rock-arm and tending to move it in its raising direction, a cam mechanism also connected with the rock-arm andl adapted to move it in its lowering direction, a latching device adapted to retain the rockarm in lowered position with the spring device under tension, and sheet-actuated means adapted to trip said latch to allow the spring device to operate.

2. In a paper-feeding machine, the combination cf a sheet-support, a rotary sheetmoving device movable toward andv away from the sheet-support, and means for operating the sheet-moving device, with' a rockarm adapted to engage and elevate the sheetmoving device, a spring mechanism tending to move said rock-arm in one direction, a cam mechanism adapted to periodically move the rock-arm in the opposite direction,

a latch-bar connected with the rock-arm, a

pawl or dog controlling the latch-bar and normally retaining the rock-arm in one position with the spring mechanism under tension, and sheet-actuated means adapted to trip said pawl or dog to allow .the spring mechanism to operate.

3. The combination of a support for a piley of sheets, a rotary shaft, a rotary sheet-moving instrument driven from said shaft and adapted to engage the top of the pile of sheets, a rock-arm supporting the rotary sheet-moving instrument, a second rock-arm adapted to raise and lower the sheet-moving instrument, a cam mechanism suitably connected with said second rock-arm, a spring device also connected with said second rock-arm, a latch-bar connected with said second rockarm, a pawl adapted to engage said latch-bar, and sheet-actuated means adapted to trip said pawl for releasing said spring device.

4. The combination of a sheet-support, with a sheet-moving instrument adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with a sheet, a spring device adapted to elevate the sheet-moving instrument, means for restraining the action of the spring device, a longitudinally-movable throw-out shaft adapted to release said restraining means, and sheet-controlled mechanism for effecting the longitudinal movement of the throw-out shaft.

5. The combination of a sheet-support, with a sheet-moving instrument adapted to be moved into and out of engagement' with a sheet,'a spring device adapted-to elevate the sheet-moving instrument, means for restraining the action of the spring device, a longitudinally-movable throw-out shaft adapted to release saidv restraining means, sheet-controlled mechanim for effecting the longitudi- IOO IIO

nal movement of the throw-out shaft, and cam mechanism adapted to reset the restraining means.

, 6. The combination of 'a ,sheet-support, with a sheet-moving instrument, means for actuating said instrument, a spring device adapted to elevate the sheet-moving instrument, means for restraining the action of the spring device, a throw-out shaft movable longitudinally and about its axis and adapted by its longitudinal movement to release said restraining means, and sh eet-controlled means,

actuated by themovement of the throw-out shaft about its axis, for effecting the longitudinal movement of said shaft.

7. The combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a sheet-moving instrument, a driving-shaft operating said sheet-moving instrument, spring mechanism for elevating the sheet-moving'instrument, a latching device normally restraining the action of the spring mechanism, a longitudinally-movable throwout shaft driven from said driving-shaft and adapted to release the latching device, and sheet-actuated means' for effecting the longitudinal movement of the throw-out shaft.

8. The combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a rotary sheet-moving instrument, movable toward and away from the pile, a driving-shaft operating said sheet- 'moving instrument, spring mechanism for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, a latching devicenormally restraining the action of the spring mechanism, a longitudinally-movable throw-out shaft adapted to release the latching device, sheet-actuated means for effecting the longitudinal movement of the throw-out shaft, and a cam adapted to reset the spring mechanism and lower the sheet-,moving instrument;

9. The combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a sheet-moving instrument, a driving-shaft operating said sheet-moving instrument, spring mechanism for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, a latching-bar connected with the spring mechanism, a pawl arranged to engage the latching-bar and normally restrain the action of the spring mechanism, a longitudinally-movable throw-out shaft adapted to engage and trip the pawl from the latching-bar, and sheet-actuated means for effecting the longitudinal movement of the throw-out shaft.

10. The combination ofa support for a pile of sheets, with a rotary sheet-moving instrument, a driving-shaft, gearing between said driving-shaft and the sheet-moving instrument, a longitudinally-movable throw-out shaft, spring mechanism for elevating the sheet-moving instrument from the pile, mechanism normally restraining the action of the spring mechanism,y and means controlled by the` sheet for imparting lon itudinal movement to said throw-out sha t, whereby the restraining mechanism is released.

11. The combination of a sheet-support, a sheet-moving instrument, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, a shaft-section movable longitudinally and about its axis, means `actuated by the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section for` releasing the elevating means,a second shaft-section movable about its axis, slip-clutch members secured upon the respective shaft-sections,

means acting on one of said shaft-secti ons for moving both shaft-sections about their axis, and sheet-controlled means acting upon the other shaft-section to arrest its movement about its axis.

12. The combination of a sheet-support, a sheet-moving instrument, means fory elevating the sheet-moving instrument, a shaft-section movable longitudinally and about its axis, yielding means normally resisting the longitudinal movement of said sh aft-sect1' on,

means actuated by the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section for releasingthe elevating means, a second shaft section movable about its axis, cam-faced slip-clutch members secured upon theA respective shaftsections, means` acting on one of said shaftsections for moving both shaft-sections about their axis, and sheet-controlled means acting upon theother shaft-section to arrest its movement about its axis.

13. The combination of a sheet-support, a sheet-moving instrument, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, a shaft-section movable longitudinally and about its axis, means actuated by the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section for releasing the elevating means, a second shaft-section movable about its axis, slip-clutch members secured upon the respective shaft-sections, a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism adapted to arrest the movement about its axis of one of said shaft-sections, and a sheet-actuated tripping device controlling said pawl.

14. The combination of a sheet-support, a sheet-moving instrument, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, a shaft-section movable longitudinally and about its axis, means actuated by -the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section for releasing the elevating means, a second shaft-section movable about its axis, slip-clutch members secured upon the respective shaft-sect1' ons, a toothed membermoved by one of said shaftsections, a pawl adapted to engage saidl toothed member to arrest the movement of said shaft-section about its axis, and a sheetactuated tripping device controlling said pawl.

15. The combination of asupportfor a pile of sheets, a sheet-moving instrument, means IOO IZO

for elevatinv` the sheet-moving instrument l from the pille, a rotary longitudinally-movable shaft-secti on, means actuated by the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section for releasing the elevating means, a second rotary shaft-section, slip-clutch members secured upon the respective rotary shaft-sections, means yieldingly connecting the shaftsections, a ratchet-wheel upon one rotary shaft-section, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel, and a sheet-actuated tripping device controlling said pawl. v

-16. The combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a driving-shaft, a rotary sheetmoving instrument driven fromL said shaft, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, a rotary longitudinally-movable shaftsection also driven from the driving-shaft, means actuated by the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section for releasing the elevating means, a second rotary shaft-section, slip-clutch members secured on the respective rotary shaft-sections and yi eldingly connecting them whereby the second shaftsection is driven by the first, a spring device normally restraining the longitudinal movement of the first shaft-section, a ratchetwheel upon said second shaft-section, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel, and a sheet-actuated tripping device controlling said pawl.

17 The combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a sheet-moving instrument, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, and means controlling the operation of the instrument-elevating means including a shaft-section which is movable about its axis, a toothed member moved by and adapted to control the movement of said shaft-section, a pawl adapted to engage the said toothed member to arrest its movement, and a tripiinger in the path of the sheets suitably connected' kwith and controlling the operation of said pawl. i

"18.Th'e combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a sheet-moving instrument, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, and means controllingv the operation of the instrument-elevating means including a shaft-section which is 'movable about its axis, a toothed member moved by and adapted to control the movement of said shaft-section, a pawl adapted to engage the said toothed member toarrest its movement,

a trip-ringer in the path of the sheets suitably connected with and controlling the operation of said pawl, and cam mechanism arranged to raise the trip-finger from the path of the sheets and disengage the pawl from the toothed member. f

The combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a sheet-moving instrument, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, and means controlling the operation of the instrument-elevating means including a rotary shaft-section carrying a ratchet-wheel, a pawl to engage said ratchetwheel, a trip-inger suitably connected with and controlling the operation of said pawl,

yand cam mechanism arranged to elevate the ytrip-finger from the path of sheets and disengage the pawl from the ratchet-wheel. 20. The combination of a support for a pile of sheets, with a sheet-moving instrument, means for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, and means controlling the operation of the instrument-elevating means including a rotary shaft-section, a toothed or ratchet member moved by and controlling the rotation of said shaft-section, a pawl to engage said ratchet member, a trip-finger suitably connected with and controlling the operation of said pawl, a longitudinally-movable rotary shaft-section, a slip-clutch connecting the shaft-sections, and cam mechanism arranged to Aelevate the trip-inger from the pile of sheets and disengage the pawl from the ratchet member.

2l. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a sheet-moving instrument, controlling mechanism therefor, including a shaft which is movable about its axis, a toothed member adapted to arrest the movement of' said shaft, a pawl supported in operative relation to the toothed member, a trip-finger supported in the path of sheets and suitably connected to the pawl, a rockarm connected with the trip-finger and pawl, and a cam arranged to operate said rock-arm.

22. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a sheet-moving instrument, a controlling mechanism therefor in-A cluding a rotary vshaft-section carrying a ratchet-wheel, a pawl supported in operative relation to the ratchet-wheel, a trip-finger.

pivoted independentlyof the pawl and supported in the path of sheets a link connecting the trip-finger and pawl, a rock-arm suitably connected with the trip-finger and pawl, and a rotary lcam adapted to operate said rock-arm.

23. The combination, in a' machine of the class described, of a sheet-moving instrument, a controlling mechanism therefor including a rotary shaft-section carrying a ratchet-wheel, a pawl supported in operative relation to the ratchet-wheel, a rock-arm adapted to engage the pawl for releasing its engagement upon the ratchet wheel, a cam actuating said rock-arm, a second rock-arm suitably connected with the rst rock-arm, a trip-inger journaled upon the second rockarm, and a link connecting said trip-finger and pawl.`

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support for a pile of sheets, a rotary shaft, a sleeve journaled upon said shaft, a rock-arm journaled upon said sleeve, a rotary sheet-moving instrument mounted upon said rock-arm, gearing between said sheet-moving instrument and said shaft, means of engagement between said sleeve and said rock-arm for controlling IOO IIO

the position of the sheet-moving instrument, spring mechanism connected with said sleeve for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, sheet-actuated tripping mechanism controlling the'action of the spring mechanism, and cammechanism suitablyiconnected with said sleeve for resetting the spring mechanism and allowing the sheet-moving instrument to move into engagement with the pile.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support for a pile of sheets, a rotary shaft, a sleeve journaled upon said shaft, a rock-arm journaled upon said sleeve, a rotary sheet-moving instrument j ournaled upon said rock-arm, gearin between said sheet-moving instrument an said shaft, means of engagement between said sleeve and said rock-arm, a longitudinally-movable shaft-section means for moving said shaft-section about its aXis, a spring mechanism connected with said sleeve for elevating the sheet-moving instrument, means controlled by the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section for releasing the spring mechanism, sheet-actuated tripping mechanism controlling the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section, and cam mechanism suitably connected with said sleeve for resetting the spring mechanism and allowing the sheet-moving instrument to move into engagement with the pile.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support for a pile of sheets, a rotary shaft, a sleeve journaled upon said shaft, a rock-arm journaled upon said sleeve, a rotary sheet-moving instrument journaled upon said rock-arm, gearing between said sheet-moving instrument and said shaft, means of engagement between said sleeve and said rock-arm, a longitudinally-movable rotary shaft-.section driven from said shaft, a spring mechanism connected with said sleeve for elevating the sheetmoving instrument, alatching device controlled by the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section. for normally restraining the spring mechanism, sheet-actuated tripping mechanism controlling the longitudinal movement of said shaft-section, and cam mechanism suitably connected with said sleeve for compressing the spring mechanism and allowing the sheet-moving instrument to move into engagement with the pile.

TALBGT C. DEXTER.

Witnesses:

' G. V. B. LEITOH, A. C. HAMMOND. 

